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Author:
Dr. George Gunn

theWord Version:
3.x - 4.x

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The Speaker of the Five I Wills - Isaiah 1412-16

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I Wills, Isaiah 1:12-16, THeology, Satan

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The Speaker of the Five I Wills - Isaiah 1412-16 - George Gunn.gbk.twm

The Speaker of the Five I Wills - Isaiah 1412-16

In the study of Satanology there is perhaps no passage that has received more attention among dispensational scholars than Isaiah 14:12-16. Dr. Chafer devotes six pages to the theme of Satan’s five “I wills,”[1] and then repeatedly refers back to this section throughout the remaining sixty-two pages of his study on Satanology.[2] The vast majority of dispensational scholars reviewed by the author of this paper concur with Dr. Chafer that Isaiah 14:12-16 expresses the proud boast of Satan that brought about his fall from heaven. There is no doubt in this writer’s mind that the egotistical, arrogant, independently-minded assertion of these verses expresses the very heart of the first of God’s creatures to commit sin. However, it is the studied conclusion of this author that the primary reference in the passage under consideration is not to Satan, but rather to the eschatological ruler of Babylon, an exceedingly wicked man who will seek to dominate the political, religious and commercial control of the cosmos during the first half of the tribulation period. This nefarious individual, styled “the great harlot who sits on many waters” (Rev 17:1 NASB) and “Babylon the Great” (Rev 17:5 NASB)[3] will be the primary persecutor of the saints during the first half of the tribulation. There is no doubt that this end-time Middle Eastern ruler will be inspired by none other than Satan, but it is this ruler of Babylon, not Satan himself, against whom Israel will take up this taunt during the millennial kingdom.[4]



[1] L. S. Chafer, Systematic Theology (Dallas: Dallas Seminary Press, 1947) II:44-50.

[2] Ibid, 51-112.

[3] Unless otherwise noted, English translations are taken from New American Standard Bible, 1995 update, and are designated, NASB.

[4] It is the opinion of the author of this paper that the situation in Ezekiel 28:12-19 is somewhat different. In the Ezekiel passage this author’s opinion is that there is a legitimate occurrence of double reference. Whereas verses 1-11 describe the earthly ruler of Tyre, verses 12-19 speak of Satan’s original fall. The being described in verses 12-19 is said to have been in Eden, and is described as “the anointed cherub that covers.” These descriptions seem clearly to transcend the description of any earthly ruler of Tyre.